Carton and Carton Blank With Strap Handle

ABSTRACT

A carton for containing cans which has a handle strap (H) by which the carton can be carried. The handle strap is formed integral with the carton and is moveable with respect to the top wall ( 20 ) to enable the handle to be raised into a position of use. One end ( 86 ) of the handle can engage a top wall of the carton to restrict the extent of deployment of the handle strap above the top wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a carton for containing a plurality of similar articles, such as cans and a means for easily lifting and carrying the carton.

Cartons for encasing multiple articles are useful for enabling consumers to obtain and transport a desired quantity of individual articles such as soft drinks or other beverages. Such cartons need to be strong enough to support the articles, especially if the articles are bottles, which are heavy and fragile. It is desirable for such cartons to be easy to handle and portable. It is therefore desirable to provide handles for carrying the carton. The handles need to be easily accessible and strong enough to support the load of the carton.

Cartons provided with carrying handles are known in the art. WO 96/27538 discloses a carton having a strap handle which is joined at either end to the side walls of the carton. When the handle is deployed the load contained in the carton is transmitted to these joints. This type of handle is not suitable for heavy loads since the handle can become detached from the carton and fail.

Another type of strap handle is disclosed in EP 0 098 903 (EP '903). In EP '903 a handle is disposed beneath a top wall of the carton, the ends of which are free to slide towards each other. This type of handle requires a means of restricting the extension of the strap handle and a means for retaining the handle strap within the carton. A problem with this type of carrying handle therefore is that additional material is required to maintain the handle within the carton yet this material does not provide any strength to the handle. A further problem is that the ends of the handle may be moveable when a significant load is applied to the handle and this can result in the handle failing.

The present invention seeks to provide a handle to enable a loaded carton to be easily lifted and carried. Since the upward force applied to the handle of such a carton may be significant, a strong handle with a secure attaching mechanism is required to ensure that the handle does not fail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention a carton for beverage containers have a handle strap by which the carton can be carried, the carton including a top wall formed of two panels, the handle strap being integral with the carton and including a central user portion formed in one of the panels, at least one end of the handle strap being disposed beneath the top wall and being moveable with respect to the top wall such that the handle strap can be raised from being substantially coplanar with the top wall into a position of use whereby at least the central user portion stands proud of the top wall, the or each end of the handle strap being of multiply construction and being structured such that the or each end of the handle strap engaging an exposed edge of each of the panels limits the travel of the or each end thereby restricting the extent of deployment of the handle strap above the top wall.

Preferably the or each end of the handle strap engages with each of the panels at different locations along the direction of travel of the or each end.

Preferably each ply of the or each end of the handle strap is offset an adjacent ply such that a ridge is formed along an edge of the or each composite end which is slidable against a complementary groove formed by the top panels.

Preferably an edge of the or each handle strap is convex shaped and the or each exposed edge of the panels is concave shaped. Each ply of the or each end of the handle may be struck from a top panel and each ply may engage an exposed edge formed in that top panel.

Additionally each ply of the or each end of the handle strap disposed beneath a top panel may engage an inner face of that top panel. Preferably four top panels are provided, the handle strap and the or each end being formed from three of the four top panels.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a blank for forming a carton comprises a series of hinge panels for forming a tubular structure, the blank including at least two top panels, a handle strap being formed integral with the carton includes a central user portion formed in one of the panels, at least one end of the handle strap being disposed beneath the top wall when the blank is formed into a carton and being moveable with respect to the top wall such that the handle strap can be raised from being substantially coplanar with the top wall into a position of use whereby at least the central user portion stands proud of the top wall, the or each end of the handle strap being of multiply construction and being structured such that the or each end of the handle strap engaging an exposed edge of each of the panels limits the travel of the or each end thereby restricting the extent of deployment of the handle strap. above the top wall.

Preferably the or each end of the handle strap engages with each of the panels at different locations along the direction of travel of the or each end.

Additionally each ply of the or each end of the handle strap is offset an adjacent ply such that a ridge is formed along an edge of the or each composite end, which end is slidable against a complementary groove formed by the top panels.

Preferably an edge of the or each handle strap is convex shaped and the or each exposed edge of the panels is concave shaped. Additionally each ply of the or each end of the handle is struck from a top panel and wherein each ply engages an exposed edge formed in that top panel.

Preferably each ply of the or each end of the handle strap disposed beneath a top panel engages an inner face of that top panel.

Alternatively wherein four top panels may be provided, the handle strap and the or each end being formed from three of the four top panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

FIG. 1. shows a blank for forming a carton according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2. shows a perspective view of a first step in the folding and gluing process of the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3. shows a perspective view of a second step in the folding and gluing process of the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4. shows a perspective view of a third step in the folding and gluing process of the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5. shows a perspective view of a fourth step in the folding and gluing process of the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6. shows a perspective view of a fifth step in the folding and gluing process of the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7. shows a carton erected from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8. shows a perspective view of the top wall of the erected carton from the inside of the carton;

FIG. 9. shows a perspective view of the top wall of the erected carton from the inside of the carton and demonstrates a handle formed in the carton being moved into a position of use;

FIG. 10. shows a perspective view of the top wall of the erected carton from the inside of the carton and demonstrates movement of the handle;

FIG. 11. shows a top plan view of a portion of the handle;

FIG. 12. shows a perspective view of the top side and end of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, an elongate carton blank 10 formed from paperboard or other suitable foldable sheet material comprises a series of main panels hinged one to the next. The main panels comprise a first top panel 20, a second top panel 22, a first side wall panel 12, a base panel 14, a second side wall panel 16, a third top panel 24 and a fourth top panel 26, hinged one to the next along transverse fold lines 60, 62 a, 62 b, 64, 66, 68 a, 68 b and 70 respectively. The four top panels 20, 22, 24 and 26 together form a single composite top wall in the completed carton when they are secured together in overlapping relationship. The invention is designed to receive similar articles, such as cans, but it is envisaged that the present invention could be used to contain other articles, such as bottles, without departing from the scope of the invention.

In order to at least partially close the ends of the carton, end closure panels 72 a, 72 b are hinged along the opposed longitudinal edges of the main panels. Since the carton blank is symmetrical reference is now made to one end closure panel 72 a, it being understood that the opposite end closure panel is identical and designated by like reference numerals with the addition of the suffix ‘b’ instead of ‘a’. Thus, an end closure panel 72 a is hinged to the first side wall panel 12, the base panel 14 and the second side wall panel 16 along hinge line 79 a. The end closure panel 72 a is intersected by a series of fold lines 71 a, 73 a, 75 a and 77 a. The fold lines 71 a, 73 a, 75 a and 77 a enable the end closure panel 72 a to be folded into a position which provides partial closure of the end of the carton.

The carton blank 10 is also provided with a bevelled panel 13 hinged between the first side wall 12 and first top panel 20 along the hinge lines 62 a and 62 b. Similarly a bevelled panel 15 is also hinged between the second side wall 16 and third top panel 24 along hinge lines 68 a and 68 b. The bevelled panels 13, 15 comprise crescent shaped slots 54 and cut lines 56. The bevelled panels 13, 15 are designed such that a secure package is created when the blank 10 is wrapped around an assembly of articles. The crescent shaped slots 54 are designed to allow the rims of articles, such as cans, to protrude slightly from the carton and thus allow the bevelled panels 13, 15 and the first and second side walls 12, 16 to securely contact the contained articles.

The first top panel 20 is provided with a reinforcing handle strap 40 and an access aperture 50, which is formed to allow access to the handle strap more readily. The reinforcing handle strap 40 is defined by a weakened line in the first top panel 20. One end of the reinforcing handle strap 40 is provided with a pair of divergent cut lines 30, the other end of the reinforcing handle strap 40 is provided with a pair of convergent cut lines 90. The reinforcing handle strap further includes a weakened line 38 which can be separated when the handle is deployed. In this embodiment of the invention the reinforcing handle strap 40 formed in the first top panel 20 is integrally joined at its one end to the first top panel 20.

The second and third top panels 22 and 24 are each provided with a handle strap 42, 44, each of which is defined by a weakened line. Each handle strap 42, 44 comprise a pair of divergent cut lines 32, 34. A pair of divergent cut lines 36 is also provided in the fourth top panel 26. The handle straps 42, 44 and reinforcing handle strap 40 are similarly shaped and positioned such that when the four top panels 20, 22, 24 and 26 are brought into overlapping relationship the handle straps 40, 42 and 44 are brought into registry with each other. The pairs of diverging cut lines 30, 32, 34 and 36 are shaped such that they are slightly offset from each other once the four top panels 20, 22, 24 and 26 overlap. In other embodiments of the invention the pairs of diverging cut lines 30, 32, 34 and 36 may not be offset.

An end portion or head 82, 84 is formed at one end of each of the handle straps 42 and 44. An additional reinforcing head 86 is also provided in the fourth top panel 26. A recess is formed by arcuate cut lines 92, 94 and 96, adjacent each end portion 82, 84, 86. The recess allows each end portion 82, 84, 86 to be displaced from its starting position towards the centre of the carton to facilitate movement of the handle into a position of use. The edge of each recess, which is defined by the cut lines 92, 94 and 96, is shaped to engage an edge of each end portion 82, 84 and 86. LI this embodiment of the invention both the recess edge 92, 94 and 96 and the edges of the end portions 82, 84, 86 are hook shaped to facilitate engagement. In other embodiments it is envisaged that the recess edge 92, 94, 96 and end portion 82, 84, 86 may be straight or square shaped for example.

In this embodiment of the invention each of the end portions 82, 84, 86 are of similar shape but increase in width such that end portion 86 is wider than end portion 84. Similarly the corresponding recesses formed by cut lines 92, 94, 96 increase in size and curvature. When the four top panels 20, 22, 24, 26 are brought into overlapping relation, the end portions 82, 84, 86 are also caused to overlap. The widest end portion 86 is disposed beneath end portion 84 which is in turn disposed beneath the most narrow end portion 82. In this way an offset arrangement of end portions 82, 84, 86 can be formed. Similarly the edges of each recess formed by cut lines 90, 92, 94 and 96 are offset from each other when the four top panels 20, 22, 24, 26 overlap.

An additional aperture 52 is formed in the fourth top panel 26 which aligns with each access aperture 50 formed in the first, second and third top panels 20, 22, 24 when the four top panels 20, 22, 24, 26 are caused to overlap. Furthermore the fourth top panel 26 comprises a reinforcing joint 88 defined by the diverging cut lines 36. The reinforcing joint 88 can be secured to the end of the handle strap 44 of the third top panel. The handle access-facilitating opening or aperture 52 formed in the fourth top panel 26 can define the reinforcing joint 88 or end portion 86.

Turning to the construction of the carton from blank 10, a series of sequential folding and gluing operations are required, which preferably can be performed in a straight line machine, so that the carton and/or blank 10 are not required to be rotated or inverted to complete the construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and can be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.

Reference is made to FIGS. 2-11. The first stage in the folding and gluing process is to apply glue (G) to the inside faces of top panels 22 and 26 as indicated by the hashed areas on the blank 10 shown in FIG. 2. The top panels 22 and 26 are each then folded inward 180° about fold lines 60 and 70 respectively. In this way the second top panel 22 is secured to the inside face of the first top panel 20 and the fourth top panel 26 is secured to the inside face of the third top panel 24 as shown in FIG. 3.

An assembled arrangement of articles, such as cans (C) is then placed on the bottom panel 14, as shown in FIG. 4. The next stage is to manipulate the end closure panels 72 a and 72 b so that the ends of the carton can be partially closed. This is achieved by folding each end closure panel 72 a, 72 b, inward of the blank 10, by 90° about fold lines 79 a and 79 b respectively. By folding the first and second side panels 12, 16 up out of the plane of the elongate blank 10 about fold lines 64 and 66 respectively, the intersecting fold lines 73 a, 77 a, 73 b and 77 b will be folded further inward of the carton towards the assembled articles. Portions of each of the end closure panels 72 a and 72 b will then be tucked inside the carton and will come to rest in flat face contact with the first and second side walls 12, 16. This stage of the folding and gluing sequence is demonstrated in FIG. 5.

The next stage is to fold the third and fourth top panels 24, 26, which are secured together, about fold line 68 b. The fold line 68 a may also be used to bring the bevelled panel 15 into close contact with the assembled articles. The third and fourth top panels 24, 26 are then brought into contact with the assembled articles such that the outside face of the fourth top panel 26 contacts the articles and glue (G) can then be applied to the outside face of the third top panel 24. The hashed areas designate where glue (G) is applied, as shown in FIG. 6. To complete the construction of the carton, the first and second top panels 20, 22 and the bevelled panel 13 are folded about fold lines 62 a and 62 b. The outside face of the second top panel 22 is then secured to the third top panel 24 and the first top panel 20 becomes the outer most face of the erected carton. An erected carton is shown in FIG. 7.

As a result of the folding a gluing of the four top panels 20, 22, 24 and 26, a four ply composite top wall is formed. Handle straps 40, 42 and 44, of the first, second and third top panels 20, 22, 24 are secured together to form a three-ply handle. The end portions 82, 84 and 86 of the second, third and fourth top panels 22, 24, 26 are also secured together and form a three ply head at that end of the three ply handle.

The three ply handle can be raised from being substantially coplanar with the top wall into a position of use whereby at least a central user portion (H) stands proud of the composite top wall. In this embodiment of the invention the handle is anchored at one end, the anchored end being defined by the pairs of diverging cut lines 30, 32, 34, 36. The diverging cut lines 30, 32, 34, 36 help to prevent the weakened lines which define the handle straps 40, 42, 44 from extended into the first and second top wall panels when the handle is deployed. The pairs of diverging cut lines are also offset from each other which can strengthen the connection between the top wall panels and the three ply central user portion (H). The reinforcing joint 88 in the fourth panel is secured to the end of handle strap 44 which can further strengthen the connection between the top wall panels 20, 22, 24, 26 and the three ply central user portion (H).

To raise the central user portion (H) from being stowed substantially coplanar with the top wall, the three ply head formed from the end portions 82, 84, 86 is displaced toward the centre of the carton. When a force substantially normal to the plane of the top wall is applied to the central user portion (H) the three ply head or composite end portion is pulled toward the centre of the top wall.

FIG. 8 shows a view from inside the carton of the composite top wall. The central user portion (H) can be seen through the access aperture 50 which is formed in the fourth top panel 26. The underside of the three ply head can also be seen, although only the lower most end portion 86 is visible, the other end portions 82, 84 being obscured from view by end portion 86. The layered arrangement of the end potions and top panels 20, 22, 24, 26 is shown in plan form in FIG. 11. Dotted lines are used to represent the outlines of the parts of the carton which would otherwise be obscured from view due to the fourth top panel 26. The offset arrangement of the recesses defined by cut lines 90, 92, and 94 can also be seen in FIGS. 8-11.

A perspective view of the three ply head or composite end portion being displaced towards the centre of the carton is shown in FIG. 9. The central user portion (H) can be displaced out of the plane of the top wall until the extent of displacement of the three ply head or composite end portion is restricted by the head engaging with the offset recess, an examples of which are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The offset arrangement of the recesses defined by the cut lines 90, 92, 94, 96 and the staggered arrangement of the end portions 82, 82, 86 are designed such that the head and recess can co-operatively engage. The moveable composite end portion comprises a series of three parallel grooves on either of its sides which are formed by the staggered arrangement of the assembled end portions 82, 84, 86. The grooves terminate in a convex arc formed by the three end portions 82, 84, 86 having an aligned convex edge. A complementary track is formed in the composite top wall by the cut lines which define the sides of the end portions 82, 84, 86. The track comprises a series of three parallel ridges which terminate in a concave arc adjacent the central user portion of the handle (H). The concave arcs converge at a point defined by the arcuate cut lines 92, 94 and 96. As the handle (H) is displaced outward of the top wall the grooves of the three ply head slide along the track formed in the top wall. As the handle (H) is displaced further to facilitate lifting the carton the grooves of the three ply head slide further along the track until the convex edge of the grooves engages the concave edge of the track. Each end portion 82, 84, 86 simultaneously engages a corresponding recesses or exposed edge defined by cut lines 92, 94 and 96 in the second, third and fourth top panels 22, 24, 26 respectively. The three ply head is prevented from further traversing the tracks in a horizontal direction. Each end portion 82, 84 and 86 of the three ply head is also prevented from moving normal to the plane of the top wall by the overlapping ridges formed in the top wall panels 20, 24 and 26 which are disposed above the end portions 82, 84, 86.

In this way a reinforced and strengthened engaging mechanism is established. Since the upward force applied to the central user portion (H) may be significant in order to lift a carton containing 12 beverage cans for example, a secure engaging mechanism is required to ensure that the handle does not fail. The present invention provides a handle structure and engaging mechanism which operates by allowing an end of the handle (H) to be moveable with respect to the top wall yet the extent of the horizontal and vertical movement is restricted by the arrangement described.

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape. The handle arrangement may be accommodated by a variety of carton structures for example a tubular carton instead of a wraparound style. Other variations may also be made within the scope of the invention. For example, the ends of the carton may be fully closed or the bevelled panels may be omitted.

In other embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that less than four top panels may be required for example only the first and second top panels may be required. It is also envisaged that in other embodiments the reinforcing handle strap 40 may be omitted and instead a handle aperture provided to allow access to the handle strap 42. In other embodiments it is envisaged that a secure engaging mechanism could be achieved by the end portions having a stepped arrangement and two or more pairs of recesses, defined by cut lines 90 for example, being provided in the same top panel. In this way additional points of engagement could be achieved. It is also envisaged that moveable end portions could be provided at both ends of the handle strap 42 if required. In this embodiment it may be necessary to provide a means for maintaining connection between the handle strap 42 and the top panel 22 for example.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper” and “lower” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. A carton comprising a top wall formed of a plurality of panels, and a handle strap formed from at least one of the top panels, at least one end of the handle strap being disposed beneath the top wall and being moveable with respect to the top wall such that the handle strap can be raised from a first position wherein the handle strap is substantially coplanar with the top wall into a second position wherein at least a central user portion of the handle strap stands proud of the top wall, the at least one end of the handle strap being of multiply construction and being structured such that the at least one end of the handle strap engage an edge of each of the top panels to limits the travel of the at least one end whereby restricting the extent of deployment of the handle strap above the top wall.
 2. A carton according to claim 1 wherein the at least one end of the handle strap engages with each of the top panels at different locations along a direction of travel of the at least one end.
 3. A carton according to claim 1 wherein each ply of the at least one end of the handle strap is offset from an adjacent ply such that a ridge is formed along an edge of the at least one end which is slidable against a complementary groove formed by the top panels.
 4. A carton according to either of claims 1 wherein an edge of at least one ply of the at least one end of the handle strap is convex shaped and an edge of a corresponding one of the top panels is concave shaped.
 5. A carton according to claim 1 wherein each ply of the at least one end of the handle strap is struck from a respective one of the top panels and wherein the each ply engages an edge formed by the respective top panel.
 6. A carton according to claim 1 wherein each ply of the at least one end of the handle strap is disposed beneath upper adjoining one of the top panels and engages an inner face of the upper adjoining top panel.
 7. A carton according to claim 1 wherein the top wall comprises four top panels, the or at least one end being formed from three of the four top panels.
 8. A blank for forming a carton comprising a series of hinged panels for forming a tubular structure, the blank including a plurality of top panels for forming a top wall of the carton, at least one strap panel formed from at least one of the top panels to form a handle strap, and at least one end-forming panel formed from another one of the top panels to be attached to the one strap panel to provide at least one end of the handle strap that is of a multiply construction, the at least one end of the handle strap being disposed beneath the top wall when the blank is formed into a carton and being moveable with respect to the top wall such that the handle strap can be raised from a first position wherein the handle strap is being substantially coplanar with the top wall into a second position wherein at least a central user portion of the handle strap stands proud of the top wall, the at least one end-forming panel is greater in width than the at least one strap panel such that when the blank is formed into a carton, each ply of the at least one end of the handle strap is offset from an adjacent ply whereby the of at least one end of the handle strap engages an edge of each of the top panels.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. A blank according to claim 8 where in an edge of the at least one end-forming panel is convex shaped and an edge of a corresponding one of the top panels is concave shaped.
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. A blank according to claim 8 wherein four top panels are include to provide the top wall of the carton, and the at least one end is formed from three of the four top panels.
 15. (canceled)
 16. (Canceled)
 17. A carton having a plurality of panels for forming the carton walls including at least inner and outer panels for forming a composite top wall, the carton comprising a handle strap formed from the inner panel and comprising a handle access means in the outer panel, the handle strap having opposed ends, one of the opposed ends of the strap handle being integrally joined with the inner panel and the other of the opposed ends being arranged such that the other end is movable with respect to the composite top wall to allow the handle strap to extend above the composite top wall, wherein the other end of the strap handle is of multiply construction formed from at least inner and outer members, wherein the inner member has its width wider than the outer member.
 18. A carton according to claim 17, further comprising a reinforcing strap formed from the outer panel and secured to the handle strap, the reinforcing strap being and integrally joined at one end to the outer panel.
 19. A carton according to claim 17 wherein the handle strap is provided Hit said other end within an engaging portion for sliding engaging with the composite top wall to limit the extent of the handle strap above the composite top Wall, and said engaging portion of the strap handle comprises a hook-shaped shoulder portion for engagement with a complementary edge of the composite top wall.
 20. (canceled) 